ATPIF1, the rheostat in mitochondrial bioenergetics and dysfunction in diseases

ATP synthase inhibitory factor 1 (ATPIF1) is a critical regulator of the activity of F1F0-ATPase, a central enzyme in mitochondrial ATP production. Accumulating evidence highlights ATPIF1 as a master modulator of mitochondrial morphology, function, cellular metabolism, and stress responses in diverse physiological and pathological conditions. In this review, we first provide a brief overview of mitochondrial structure and ATP production. We then focus on the cellular and molecular mechanisms of mitochondrial bioenergetics regulated by ATPIF1 and emphasize the role of ATPIF1 in energy preservation, mitophagy and redox balance. Furthermore, we comprehensively summarize recent advances about the pathological function of ATPIF1 in various mitochondrial dysfunction related diseases, including ischemia/reperfusion injury, aging, cancer, sepsis and chronic inflammation, and neurodegenerative disorders. ATP1IF1, the mitochondrial rheostat, emerges as a novel therapeutic target to combat mitochondrial dysfunction across multiple organ systems.